There has been much discussion in the recent medical literature regarding an impending shortage of physicians. Many believe that as early as 2020 this shortage will be evident.1- 3 Most studies have focused on primary care physicians. However, a 2008 study4 concluded that a shortage of general surgeons is already notable; Williams and Ellison predict that by 2020 the number of general surgeons will be 1875 fewer than the public need and that this deficiency will grow to 6000 by 2050. It should be no surprise, then, that this shortage of general surgeons will also affect the specialty of surgical critical care (SCC), as noted by Tisherman et al5 in this issue of JAMA Surgery.